HUD AWARDS $324,996 TO MISSOURI TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

KANSAS CITY, KS - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $324,996 to one fair housing organization in Missouri in an effort to reduce housing discrimination. This funding is part of $38.3 million HUD awarded today to 95 fair housing organizations and other non-profit agencies in 38 states.

Funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), these grants will help enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices. In addition, the funds will educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

"Ending housing discrimination requires that we support the law of the land and protect the housing rights of individuals and families who would be denied those rights," stated HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Ensuring and promoting Fair Housing practices lies at the core of HUD's mission and these grants enable community groups all over the nation to help families who are denied equal access to housing."

Deputy Regional Administrator, Theresa Porter added: "No one should be denied the opportunity to live where they want because of how they look, their faith, whether they have children, or because they have a disability. These grants will help us continue our efforts to educate the public and housing industry about their housing rights and responsibilities."

The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council (EHOC) will use its grant to affirmatively further fair housing in Missouri and Southern Illinois by offering fair housing complaint intake and investigation, advocacy, education, and systemic and complaint-based testing. Education and outreach will include a newsletter, workshops, "Know Your Rights" sessions/workshops, and speaking engagements in the community. EHOC will continue to update its neighborhood housing locator for five counties in Missouri and Illinois - this tool helps people move to areas of opportunity. EHOC will utilize email testing to examine rates of discrimination in the rental, sales and lending markets.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.